# Japanese driving license for Indonesians: tests in Bahasa Indonesia, SIM conversion and the IDP

URL: https://japanhow.com/driving/license/japan-driving-license-in-indonesian/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 23, 2026

## Summary

As of October 2026, Indonesians in Japan can take the learner's permit (仮免) and full license (本免) written tests in Indonesian in Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka and Saitama; Tokyo and Aichi also offer the license conversion (外免切替) knowledge test in Indonesian. The moped (原付) test is not offered in Indonesian. An Indonesian international driving permit is not valid in Japan because Indonesia is not a 1949 Geneva Convention party. An Indonesian SIM can be converted, but only after a 50-question knowledge test (45 to pass) and a driving test.

## Key facts

- Written tests in Indonesian: 仮免, 本免 and 外免切替
- Indonesian IDP in Japan: Not valid (not Geneva 1949)
- Converting an Indonesian SIM: Possible, both tests required
- Moped (原付) test: Not in Indonesian

Yes, you can take Japan's written driving tests in Indonesian. As of October 2026, police in Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka and Saitama offer Indonesian for the learner's permit test (仮免) and the full license test (本免), and Tokyo and Aichi also for the knowledge test for converting a foreign license (外免切替). The moped test (原付) is not offered in Indonesian. An international driving permit from Indonesia is **not valid in Japan**, but an Indonesian SIM can be converted if you pass a 50-question knowledge test (45 correct) and a driving test.

Free practice in Indonesian: our [driving test practice app](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=id) has picture lessons, true/false questions and mock exams. It is independent practice, not the official test.

**Dalam bahasa Indonesia:** Ujian tertulis SIM Jepang untuk izin belajar mengemudi (仮免) dan SIM penuh (本免) bisa diambil dalam bahasa Indonesia di Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka dan Saitama. Tokyo dan Aichi juga menyediakan ujian tertulis konversi SIM asing (外免切替) dalam bahasa Indonesia. Ujian moped (原付) tidak tersedia dalam bahasa Indonesia. SIM Internasional dari Indonesia tidak berlaku di Jepang. SIM Indonesia bisa dikonversi, tetapi Anda harus lulus ujian tertulis 50 soal (minimal 45 benar) dan ujian praktik.

About 307,000 Indonesians lived in Japan at the end of June 2026, up 15.6% in six months, with the largest groups in Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa and Saitama (Immigration Services Agency).

## Three ways to get a Japanese license

| Route | In Indonesian | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| **Driving school** (指定自動車教習所), including driving camps (合宿免許) | Lewat sekolah mengemudi | Lessons at a designated school, the 仮免 test, then the 本免 written test at the license center |
| **Direct test** at the license center (一発試験, 直接受験) | Ujian langsung di pusat SIM | No school: you sit the written and driving tests at the center yourself |
| **Converting your Indonesian SIM** (外免切替) | Konversi SIM Indonesia | For people who already hold a valid SIM, with the 3-month rule below |

The written tests follow a national format set by the National Police Agency (警察庁). Graduates of a designated school still take the 本免 written test at the license center of the prefecture where they live, so the center's language list is what counts. For school choice and costs, see our guides to [English driving schools](/driving/schools/english-driving-schools-japan/) and [driving camps for foreigners](/driving/schools/gasshuku-menkyo-foreigners/).

## Can I take the tests in Indonesian?

In May 2024 the National Police Agency told all prefectural police to offer written tests in 20 languages, including Indonesian, for the 仮免, the full license (第一種), the professional license (第二種) and the conversion knowledge test. Each prefecture decides when and where. Here is what the official pages say as of October 2026:

| Prefecture | Indonesian tests | Days and booking |
|---|---|---|
| **Tokyo** (page updated May 11, 2026) | 仮免, 本免 (第一種), 第二種, conversion knowledge test | 本免: Fuchu (府中) Tuesdays, Samezu (鮫洲) Wednesdays, Koto (江東) Thursdays. 仮免: Fuchu Tuesdays, Samezu Wednesdays. Conversion test: Fuchu and Samezu, weekdays |
| **Aichi** | 仮免, 本免, 第二種 at the main test center and Higashi-Mikawa (東三河); conversion knowledge test | Regular tests: no reservation, on a set weekday (check the page). Conversion test: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 13:30 (since October 27, 2025) |
| **Osaka** | All written tests except moped (原付) and small special vehicles (小型特殊) | Online booking only; Osaka residents only |
| **Saitama** (since August 30, 2024) | 仮免, 本免 (第一種), 第二種 | For the 仮免, choose Indonesian when you book online; for other tests, ask at the counter |

Indonesian is not one of Tokyo's five every-weekday languages, so plan your visit for the right day. Aichi, home to the largest Indonesian community, lists Indonesian as "no reservation needed" for regular tests; its weekday table is hard to read online, so confirm the day before you go.

**Not in Indonesian:** the moped test (原付). Tokyo offers it in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali and Myanmar; Aichi, Osaka and Saitama in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Vietnamese. If you want a moped license, you will need one of those languages or Japanese.

### Driving schools that teach in Indonesian

They are rare. The test can be in Indonesian, but lessons usually are not. One camp booking agent lists Indonesian among the languages some of its schools support, while saying classroom lectures are in Japanese and everyday Japanese is expected. Its page names no school with Indonesian textbooks or Indonesian-speaking staff. A school search platform launched in June 2026, Japan License Connect, has an Indonesian version and lets you filter schools by 仮免 test language, but it does not say how many schools teach in Indonesian. Ask any school in writing what is actually in Indonesian (textbook, 仮免 test, staff) before you pay.

## Can I drive in Japan on my Indonesian license or IDP?

No. Japan accepts only international driving permits issued under the **1949 Geneva Convention**. JAF says permits under other treaties, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention, are not valid. The UN treaty record (as of October 23, 2026) shows Indonesia is **not a Geneva party**; it signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, which Japan has not joined. Indonesia is also missing from Tokyo police's list of Geneva countries (updated July 2, 2026).

Indonesia is not one of the six places (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan) whose licenses can be used with a Japanese translation either. So an Indonesian SIM, with or without a SIM Internasional, does not let you drive in Japan. You need a Japanese license. More detail: [international driving permit in Japan](/driving/license/international-driving-permit-japan/).

## Converting an Indonesian SIM (外免切替)

You can convert an Indonesian SIM, but Indonesia is **not** on the list of 29 countries and regions that skip the tests. You take both:

- a **knowledge test**: since October 1, 2025, 50 written questions, 90% (45 correct) to pass, offered in Indonesian
- a **driving test** on the center's course, with stricter scoring since the same date

What you need, per the National Police Agency and prefectural police:

- a **valid** SIM, and **at least 3 months in Indonesia** (in total) after it was issued, shown by passport stamps. If you got your SIM shortly before leaving for Japan and spent less than 3 months in Indonesia afterwards, you can't convert it
- a **住民票** (residence record) with the foreign-resident items. Tourists can no longer convert
- a **Japanese translation** of the SIM from the Indonesian embassy or consulate in Japan, or from JAF, ZIPLUS or the 訪日運転者支援協会. JAF charges ¥6,600 and most translations take about 5 to 10 business days
- **Indonesia-specific papers.** Tokyo (country list as of August 2026) asks for a driving record from Indonesia if your SIM does not show its issue date. Gifu asks Indonesian applicants for a license history certificate (免許経歴証明書), original only

Booking: Tokyo takes conversion bookings online, but people applying under the specified skilled worker (特定技能) system book by phone with the license center. Tokyo may ask you to bring an interpreter if you don't speak Japanese. Waits can be long: Gifu (page updated September 2025) says about 2 months for the document check and about 5 more for the tests.

The full checklist is in our guide to [converting a foreign license in Japan](/driving/license/convert-foreign-license-japan/).

## How much does it cost?

| Item | Cost (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conversion, Tokyo, regular car | ¥2,500 application + ¥2,350 issuance |
| Conversion, Gifu, regular car | ¥3,300 test (with vehicle) + ¥2,350 issuance |
| JAF translation for conversion | ¥6,600 plus ¥20 per printed page |
| School graduates' 本免 test, Osaka | ¥1,900 test + ¥2,350 issuance |
| Learner's permit at a camp | ¥1,800 test per attempt + ¥1,100 permit (not in camp prices) |
| Driving school (AT), English courses we verified | ¥367,280 to ¥572,000 |
| Driving camp near Tokyo (AT, with lodging) | ¥231,000 to ¥297,000 for the dates we checked |

School and camp prices come from our [English driving schools comparison](/driving/schools/english-driving-schools-japan/); prices change by season, age and school.

**General information, not legal advice:** Rules and documents differ by prefecture and can change. Check your own license center's page, or ask the center, before you book.

## Practice in Indonesian, free

Our [driving test practice app in Indonesian](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=id) has picture lessons, 274 true/false questions in the official test format, hazard pictures, and mock exams for the 仮免, the 本免 and the conversion knowledge test. Japanese terms carry furigana so you can read them at the center. Your progress stays in your browser, with no account needed. It is independent practice, not the official test, and the questions on the real test are different. The English version and road-sign lessons are on the [practice test hub](/driving/practice-test/).

**Latihan gratis dalam bahasa Indonesia:** Latihan ujian SIM Jepang gratis dalam bahasa Indonesia: pelajaran bergambar, soal benar/salah, gambar situasi berbahaya, dan simulasi ujian 仮免, 本免 dan 外免切替. Ini latihan mandiri, bukan ujian resmi, dan soal di ujian asli berbeda. [Buka aplikasi latihan](/driving/practice-test/app/?lang=id).

## Questions people ask

### Can I take the Japanese driving test (ujian SIM Jepang) in Indonesian?

Yes. Indonesian is one of 20 foreign languages for the learner's permit (仮免), full license (第一種) and license conversion knowledge tests. Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka and Saitama police confirm the 仮免 and 本免 tests in Indonesian, and Tokyo and Aichi the conversion test, as of October 2026. In Tokyo, Indonesian runs on fixed days: for example the full-license test at Fuchu on Tuesdays and Samezu on Wednesdays.

### Is an Indonesian international driving permit (SIM internasional) valid in Japan?

No. Japan accepts only permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Indonesia is not a party to it (it signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, which Japan has not joined), and Indonesia is not on Tokyo police's list of Geneva countries. To drive, you need a Japanese license.

### How do I convert an Indonesian SIM to a Japanese license (konversi SIM)?

You need to have stayed at least 3 months in Indonesia after the SIM was issued, a 住民票 in Japan, a Japanese translation and, depending on the prefecture, a license history document from Indonesia. Indonesia is not on the exempt list, so you take the 50-question knowledge test (45 correct to pass) and a driving test.

### What is on the kirikae (外免切替) knowledge test?

Since October 1, 2025 it has 50 written questions and you need 90% (45 correct). Tokyo offers it in Indonesian on weekdays at Fuchu and Samezu; Aichi offers Indonesian on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 13:30.

### Is the 50cc moped (原付) test available in Indonesian?

Not at the centers we checked. Tokyo offers the moped test in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali and Myanmar; Aichi, Osaka and Saitama in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Vietnamese.

## Sources

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